The Big Vacation - Day Three

It began raining on our way to the Pacific Rim National Park, and it kept drizzling almost the entire time we were there.  I don't think we were ever really dry or free from mud/sand.  We put the most laundry in the bag in this two day stretch!  But our campground was located directly above Long Beach, the longest sandy beach on the west side of the island, and we were able to experience the actual ocean for the first time since living on the West Coast.  At home we are sheltered by the Island as well as being on an inlet, but here was the sea in all it raw power.  The kids (and the parents) were amazed.  The waves crashed in all day and night, no matter what the tide.  We made the best of the weather and wandered the sandy beach anyways.

This morning we decided to drive to Tofino due to the constant misty drizzle and we managed to find a park that kept the kids happy for a while.  It had a tram line that stayed in use the whole time we were there.  Not much in Tofino, but this was good.

The view from Long Beach

Exploring little tide pools.  We saw sea anemones in the wild for the first time.  Usually we only see them at the aquarium.

No beach visit is complete without building a tower and watching the tide take it away!

Spencer dug with his shovel for most of the afternoon

Clay's crab shell collection.  24 - his 'all-time record'.

An assortment of other shells found along the beach.  The pamphlets tell you to take a picture, not the shell.  We tried, but couldn't resist bringing home a couple of favorites.